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SARS-Like Virus Traced to—Camels?

(NEWSER) – Researchers have overcome a major hump in tracing the deadly MERS virus: Camels may be the source of infection. A study published in the Lancet reports that antibodies to the virus were found in blood samples taken from dromedary camels in Oman and the Canary Islands—"compelling evidence that dromedaries are infected with MERS or a related coronavirus," an expert tells the New York Times. Though there's still no proof and more research is needed, it does provide a lead; those affected by the SARS-like can now be questioned about their exposure to the animals, which are commonly used as food, pets, and racing animals in the Middle East.